Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota
In Regular Session Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025
HOUSE BILL NO. 1032
(Legislative Management)
(Judiciary Committee)
AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 27-05-06 and chapter 40-18.1 of the North
Dakota Century Code, relating to jurisdiction of district courts and municipal court requirements,
jurisdiction, procedures, and processes; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section
29-07-01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to indigent defense; and to repeal
sections 40-11-10, 40-11-11, 40-11-12, and 40-11-13 and chapter 40-18 of the North Dakota
Century Code, relating to ordinance violations and municipal judges.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new subsection to section 27-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
and enacted as follows:
Power to hear and determine all actions and proceedings arising from the enforcement of city
ordinances in a city:
a.With a population of fewer than five thousand in which there is not a municipal court or
municipal judge under chapter 40 - 18.1.
b.That has entered an agreement under section 40 - 18.1 - 23 or 40 - 18.1 - 25.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Subsection 1 of section 29-07-01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
is amended and reenacted as follows:
1.Lawyers provided to represent indigent persons must be compensated at a reasonable rate to
be determined by the commission on legal counsel for indigents. Expenses necessary for the
adequate defense of an indigent person prosecuted in district court, other than for a violation
of a home rule county's ordinance, when approved by the commission, must be paid by the
state. Expenses necessary for the adequate defense of an indigent person prosecuted for
violation of a home rule county's ordinance must be paid by the home rule county. Expenses
necessary for the adequate defense of an indigent person prosecuted infor a violation of a
municipal courtordinance, when approved by the judge, must be paid by the city in which the
alleged offense took place. The city shall also pay the expenses in any matter transferred to
district court pursuant tounder section 40-18-06.2 or 40-18-15.140 - 18.1 - 18, 40 - 18.1 - 23,
40 - 18.1 - 24, or 40 - 18.1 - 25 , in any appeal taken to district court from a judgment of conviction
in municipal court pursuant tounder section 40-18-1940 - 18.1 - 19 or 40 - 18.1 - 20 , and in an
appeal or postconviction matter seeking relief from a conviction resulting from violation of a
municipal ordinance. A defendant requesting representation by counsel at public expense, or
for whom counsel provided at public expense without a request is considered appropriate by
the court, shall submit an application for indigent defense services. For an application for
indigent defense services in the district court, a nonrefundable application fee of thirty-five
dollars must be paid at the time the application is submitted. The district court may extend the
time for payment of the fee or may waive or reduce the fee if the court determines the
defendant is financially unable to pay all or part of the fee. If the application fee is not paid
before disposition of the case, the fee amount must be added to the amount to be reimbursed
under this section. Application fees collected under this subsection must be forwarded for
deposit in the indigent defense administration fund established under subsection 4.
SECTION 3. Chapter 40-18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows: H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 2
40 - 18.1 - 01. Establishment of a municipal court.
1.The governing body of a city may, by ordinance or resolution, establish a municipal court
which is a part of the unified judicial system of this state. The supreme court may supervise
and sanction municipal courts and municipal court judges. A staff attorney with the state court
administrator's office may advise a municipal court judge and clerk on an administrative and
procedural court issue.
2.The governing body shall, by ordinance, provide for the election of at least one full - time or
part - time judge.
3.A city that establishes a municipal court shall provide:
a.Facilities for the use of the municipal court to conduct trials, hearings, and other
necessary duties; and
b.Necessary supplies and technology and sufficient clerical and nonjudicial support
personnel to assist the municipal judge.
4.Municipal court must be held at the time and place designated by the municipal judge. The
court schedule must be posted publicly by filing the notice with the city auditor's office and
posting the notice on the city's website if the city has a website.
5.Two or more cities, by resolution, may enter an agreement establishing a single joint municipal
court. A copy of the agreement must be filed with the state court administrator. The agreement
must include the name of the joint municipal court. As used in this chapter, "municipal court"
includes a joint municipal court.
6.Two or more cities, by resolution, may enter an agreement to provide jointly for courtrooms,
chambers, equipment, supplies, and staff for municipal courts and agree to elect judges
without establishing a joint municipal court. A copy of the agreement must be filed with the
state court administrator. If municipal courts share facilities and resources in this manner, the
identities of the individual courts must be expressed in the case caption.
7.An agreement under subsection 5 or 6 may be terminated in the manner provided in the
agreement. If the agreement does not include a provision for termination, the agreement may
be terminated by any party upon the provision of not fewer than thirty days notice to the
governing bodies.
8.Beginning July 1, 2026, the municipal court is a court of record.
40 - 18.1 - 02. Jurisdiction.
1.The municipal court has jurisdiction to hear, try, and determine offenses against the
ordinances of any city served by the court.
2.Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the municipal court does not have jurisdiction to
hear, try, and determine:
a.An offense that would be a violation of section 39 - 08 - 01 or equivalent ordinance, if the
individual charged with the offense has twice previously been convicted of a violation of
section 39 - 08 - 01 or equivalent ordinance within the seven years preceding the
commission of the offense charged or if the individual charged with the offense has three
times previously been convicted of a violation of section 39 - 08 - 01 or equivalent
ordinance within the fifteen years preceding the commission of the offense charged. If the
offense is charged in the municipal court and the municipal judge has notice of a violation
of section 39 - 08 - 01 or equivalent ordinance twice within the seven years, or three times
within the fifteen years, preceding the commission of the offense charged, the municipal H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 3
judge shall dismiss the charge, without prejudice, and refer the matter to the state's
attorney of the county in which the municipal court is located.
b.An offense that would be a violation of section 39 - 08 - 01 or equivalent ordinance if the
judge is not licensed to practice law in this state.
c.A domestic violence offense.
d.A criminal offense, including criminal traffic offenses, against a juvenile, except a
municipal court may hear, try, and determine noncriminal offenses against a juvenile if
the juvenile is not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the juvenile court under chapter
27 - 20.2.
40 - 18.1 - 03. Fitness to proceed.
1.If reason to doubt a defendant's fitness to proceed exists, as defined under section
12.1 - 04 - 04, the case must be:
a.Transferred to the district court for evaluation; or
b.Dismissed on motion by the prosecutor.
2.The district court shall order the defendant to undergo a fitness to proceed evaluation under
chapter 12.1 - 04. If the defendant is found fit to proceed, the case must be remanded to the
municipal court for further proceedings.
3.The time to petition to transfer the matter to district court under section 40 - 18.1 - 18 is
suspended pending determination of the defendant's fitness to proceed.
4.If the defendant is found to lack fitness to proceed, the case must be dismissed.
5.In proceedings under this section, the city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in the
case of an indigent defendant, a defense attorney. The city may contract with the county,
state, or any person for the prosecution or defense services.
40 - 18.1 - 04. Criminal responsibility.
1.A case in which the defendant's criminal responsibility at the time of the crime is in question
may be transferred to the district court for evaluation upon written request by the defendant.
The defendant shall initiate the request within twenty - eight days after arraignment and the
district court shall order the defendant to undergo a criminal responsibility evaluation under
chapter 12.1 - 04.1.
2.Following the evaluation, if the defendant asserts the defense of lack of criminal responsibility,
the case must remain in district court for trial. If the defendant does not assert the defense of
lack of criminal responsibility, the district court shall remand the case to the municipal court for
further proceedings.
3.In proceedings under this section, the city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in the
case of an indigent defendant, a defense attorney. The city may contract with the county,
state, or any person for the prosecution or defense services.
40 - 18.1 - 05. Election of municipal judge - Qualifications.
1.A municipal judge must be elected to serve a term of four years and may not hold any other
office in the city in which the municipal judge serves as a judge. The city auditor shall notify
the state court administrator of the election or appointment of a municipal judge or alternate
municipal judge. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 4
2.Except when prohibited by home rule charter or ordinance, the municipal judge may be a part-
time judge and may serve as a municipal judge in more than one city.
3.A municipal judge in a city with a population of five thousand or more must be licensed to
practice law in this state and must be a resident of the city unless the city, by ordinance or
resolution, provides the municipal judge is not required to be a resident of the city.
4.The municipal judge in a city with a population of fewer than five thousand is not required to
be licensed to practice law in this state and is not required to be a resident of the city.
5.The governing body of the city shall fix the compensation of the municipal judge.
40 - 18.1 - 06. Demand for change of judge.
A party to a proceeding pending in a municipal court may obtain a change of judge under section
29 - 15 - 21. The municipal judge must be replaced in accordance with section 40 - 18.1 - 07.
40 - 18.1 - 07. Vacancy in office of municipal judge - Disqualification - Temporary absence of
municipal judge.
1.If a vacancy exists in the office of municipal judge by death, resignation, or otherwise, the
governing body of the city shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
2.The governing body may appoint alternate municipal judges to serve when a municipal judge
is unable to serve due to temporary absence, illness, disqualification, or disability. The
alternate judges must be compensated at a rate set by the governing body.
3.If the alternate municipal judges also are disqualified or unavailable, the chief justice may
appoint a district court judge to a temporary assignment as a municipal court judge for the
purpose of presiding over the case.
40 - 18.1 - 08. Clerk of municipal court.
1.The governing body of a city with a municipal court may provide for the office of clerk of the
municipal court, which may include deputy clerks of municipal court. The governing body of
the city shall appoint the clerk and deputy clerk, with the consent of the municipal judge. The
governing body shall fix the salary of the municipal clerk and deputy clerk.
2.The clerk and deputy clerk of the municipal court shall issue all process of the court,
administer oaths, file and preserve all papers, docket cases, set trials, and perform other acts
necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the court. The clerk shall receive,
account for, and pay on a monthly basis to the city general fund all fines and forfeited bonds
paid into the court.
40 - 18.1 - 09. City prosecutor.
1.A prosecutor licensed to practice law in this state must be present for all contested hearings
and proceedings involving a class B misdemeanor in a municipal court.
2.The city shall pay the compensation of the prosecutor and any necessary expenses incurred
in prosecuting a violation of a city ordinance.
40 - 18.1 - 10. Change of venue - Reliable electronic means.
1.A municipal judge shall consider the following factors when determining whether to change the
venue of a proceeding under this chapter:
a.Convenience to the parties and witnesses.
b.Judicial efficiency. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 5
c.Available facilities.
d.Administration of justice.
2.A municipal judge may not change the venue of a proceeding if a party to the proceeding
objects to the change.
3.A municipal judge may use contemporaneous audio or audiovisual transmission by reliable
electronic means in accordance with rule 52 of the North Dakota Supreme Court
Administrative Rules. A municipal judge who presides over a proceeding through
contemporaneous audio or audiovisual transmission by reliable electronic means is equivalent
to a municipal judge who is physically present at the proceeding.
40 - 18.1 - 11. Costs and fees.
1.A municipal court:
a.May not assess costs or fees against any individual except as specifically provided in this
chapter.
b.May assess a fee under subsection 2 of section 40 - 05 - 06.
c.May assess a court administration fee and a community service supervision fee in an
amount not to exceed the amounts allowed under section 29 - 26 - 22.
d.Shall assess the crime victim and witness program fee under section 27 - 01 - 10.
2.The judgment must itemize the fines and fees assessed.
40 - 18.1 - 12. Action for violation of ordinance in corporate name - Previous prosecution,
recovery, or acquittal no defense.
An action brought to recover a fine, enforce a penalty, or punish a violation of a city ordinance must
be brought in the corporate name of the city as plaintiff. A prosecution, recovery, or acquittal for the
violation of a city ordinance may not constitute a defense to any other prosecution of the same
individual for any other violation of the ordinance, notwithstanding that the different claims for relief
existed at the time of the previous prosecution and if united, would not have exceeded the jurisdiction of
the court.
40 - 18.1 - 13. Summons to issue on violation of ordinance - When warrant of arrest to issue.
An action for a violation of an ordinance is initiated by a uniform complaint under section 29 - 05 - 31
or a complaint in compliance with the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure. If there is probable
cause to believe a criminal offense has been committed by the individual charged, an arrest warrant
must be issued, except a municipal judge may issue a summons instead of an arrest warrant if the
municipal judge has reason to believe the individual charged will appear in response to the summons.
An individual arrested under a warrant must be taken without unnecessary delay before the municipal
judge to be tried for the alleged offense.
40 - 18.1 - 14. Commitment for nonpayment of fines or costs.
Any individual upon whom any fine or costs, or both, has been imposed for violation of a municipal
ordinance may, after hearing, be committed upon order of the court to jail or other place provided by the
municipality for the incarceration of offenders until the fine or costs, or both, are fully paid. The court
may not commit an individual under this section when the reason for the individual's nonpayment of
fines or costs is the individual's indigency. A commitment order issued under this section may not
exceed thirty days. As used in this section, "fine" does not include a fee established under subsection 2
of section 40 - 05 - 06. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 6
40 - 18.1 - 15. Fines, fees, and forfeitures for violation of ordinances paid into city general fund.
All fines, fees, penalties, and forfeitures collected for a violation of a city ordinance, including those
collected as a result of a judgment of a district court rendered under section 40 - 18.1 - 18, must be paid
into the city's general fund.
40 - 18.1 - 16. Diagnosis and treatment of individuals convicted of driving while under the
influence.
If an individual is convicted under an ordinance equivalent to an offense under section 39 - 08 - 01,
the court shall sentence the defendant in accordance with that section.
40 - 18.1 - 17. Sentencing alternatives - Suspension of sentence or imposition of sentence.
Subject to section 40 - 05 - 06, a municipal judge may use the sentencing alternatives provided under
section 12.1 - 32 - 02 and may suspend any sentence the judge imposes or defer the imposition of any
sentence due to the good behavior of an individual adjudged to have committed an offense, or for other
reasonable cause, under subsection 3 or 4 of section 12.1 - 32 - 02, except a municipal judge may not
suspend a sentence or the imposition of sentence for driving a motor vehicle in violation of an
operator's license suspension, revocation, or restriction or for a violation of section 39 - 08 - 01 or
equivalent ordinance if the suspension of sentence or suspension of the imposition of sentence is
prohibited under section 39 - 06 - 17 or 39 - 06 - 42 or chapter 39 - 08.
40 - 18.1 - 18. Transfer to district court - Expenses of prosecution - Division of funds and
expenses among city, county, and state.
1.A defendant may request in writing to transfer the case to district court and to exercise the
defendant's right to a jury trial within twenty - eight days after arraignment. If the request is filed
within twenty - eight days after the arraignment, the judge shall grant the request.
2.If the defendant waives a jury trial after a transfer to district court, the district court shall
remand the matter to the municipal court for disposition and sentencing if the parties agree to
a remand.
3.Unless remanded to the municipal court by agreement of the parties, the district court retains
jurisdiction for sentencing and enforcement.
4.The city shall provide a prosecuting attorney and, in the case of an indigent defendant, a
defense attorney. The city may contract with the county, state, or any person for the
prosecution or defense services.
5.The city, county, and state may agree to a division of any fees, fines, costs, forfeitures, and
any other monetary consideration collected from cases transferred under this section, which
must be paid to the city general fund and the county treasury and the state general fund at
least once each quarter. At the time of payment, the clerk of district court shall account under
oath to the city auditor, county treasurer, and state treasurer for all money collected. In the
contract, the city, county, and state may agree to a division of expenses, including jury and
witness expenses, related to cases transferred under this section. In the absence of a
contract, all fees, fines, costs, forfeitures, and any other monetary consideration collected from
transferred cases must be deposited in the state general fund.
40 - 18.1 - 19. Appeals from determinations of municipal judge not in courts of record.
1.For a case filed before July 1, 2026, an appeal may be taken to the district court from a
judgment of conviction or order deferring imposition of sentence in a municipal court in
accordance with the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 7
2.An appeal is perfected by notice of appeal. A perfected appeal to the district court transfers the
action to the district court for trial anew. Failure to remove the case under section 40 - 18.1 - 18
constitutes waiver of jury trial on appeal.
3.On all appeals from a determination in a municipal court, the district court shall take judicial
notice of all of the ordinances of the city.
4.A filing fee may not be required in district court for the filing of an appeal from a judgment of
conviction for the violation of a city ordinance.
5.Expenses necessary for the adequate defense of an indigent individual in an appeal to the
district court from a judgment of conviction for the violation of a municipal ordinance, as
approved by the presiding district judge, must be paid by the city where the alleged offense
took place.
6.Unless remanded to the municipal court by agreement of the parties, the district court retains
jurisdiction for sentencing and enforcement.
40 - 18.1 - 20. Appeals from determinations of municipal judge in courts of record.
1.For a case filed on or after July 1, 2026, an appeal may be taken to the district court from a
judgment of conviction or order deferring imposition of sentence in a municipal court in
accordance with the North Dakota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
2.An appeal from a municipal court of record must originate from the file, record, recording,
transcript, or evidence from the municipal court.
3.The district court may affirm, reverse, or amend any appeal order or judgment and may direct
the proper order or judgment be entered or direct a new trial or further proceeding be had in
the court from which the appeal was taken.
40 - 18.1 - 21. Municipal judge may enforce orders and judgments and punish for contempt.
A municipal judge may enforce compliance with the court's orders and judgments. The judge may
fine or imprison for contempt committed in the judge's presence while holding court, as well as for
contempt of process issued, and of orders and judgments made by the judge. If an act or omission
constituting a contempt in a municipal court is not committed in the presence of the municipal judge, an
affidavit alleging the facts may be filed and a warrant of arrest may be issued on which the individual
accused may be arrested and brought before the municipal judge immediately. The individual must be
given a reasonable opportunity to employ counsel and defend against the alleged contempt. After
hearing the allegations and proof, the municipal judge may discharge the individual or adjudge the
individual guilty and may punish by fine, imprisonment, or both. The fine in any case may not exceed
one thousand five hundred dollars and the imprisonment may not exceed thirty days.
40 - 18.1 - 22. Judgment for fines, fees, or costs - Procedure.
1.If the judgment imposes a fine or assesses a fee, the municipal judge may order a certified
copy of the judgment be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court of any county in the
state. The clerk of district court shall treat the municipal court judgment in the same manner as
a civil judgment of any district court of any county of the state.
2.At the time of filing the judgment with the office of the clerk of district court, the municipal court
judge shall order an affidavit providing the name and last-known mailing address of the
defendant and otherwise complying with section 28 - 20 - 15 be filed.
3.Upon the filing of the judgment and affidavit, the clerk of municipal court shall mail notice of
the filing of the municipal judgment to the defendant at the defendant's last-known address
and file proof of mailing with the district court. The notice must include the name and mailing
address of the municipal court. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 8
4.An execution of other process for enforcement of a municipal court judgment filed under this
section may not be issued until ten days after the date the judgment is filed.
5.If the defendant shows the district court of any county that an appeal from the judgment is
pending or will be taken, the court shall stay enforcement of the municipal court judgment until
the appeal is concluded or the time for appeal expires.
6.The municipal judge shall order the defendant to pay a filing fee of ten dollars to the clerk of
district court.
7.Upon filing of the judgment with the district court in accordance with this chapter, the judgment
is enforceable by the city only in the same manner as provided for a judgment for money in a
civil action.
40 - 18.1 - 23. Transfer of municipal ordinance cases to district court.
With the agreement of the state court administrator, the governing body of a city may, by ordinance,
transfer some or all of the cases of the municipal court to the district court serving the county in which
the city is located without abolishing the municipal court. Cases transferred under this section are
deemed district court cases for purposes of appeal. The agreement must provide the city is responsible
for providing for the prosecution of the cases and for providing a defense attorney in cases involving an
indigent defendant.
40 - 18.1 - 24. Abolition of municipal court in a city with a population of fewer than five
thousand.
1.The governing body of a city with a population of fewer than five thousand having a municipal
court may by resolution abolish its municipal court. The jurisdiction of a municipal court
abolished by resolution must be transferred to the district court of the district in which the city
is located.
2.The city auditor shall provide a copy of the resolution abolishing the court to the presiding
judge and clerk of court of the district court for the district in which the city is located, the
state's attorney for the county in which the city is located, and the state court administrator.
The resolution must provide the effective date of the transfer of cases, which must be at least
ninety days following the date of the resolution.
3.At least ten days before the effective date of the transfer, the clerk of the municipal court shall
deliver to the clerk of the district court all cases pending action by the district court after the
effective date of the resolution.
4.On the effective date of transfer, all proceedings relating to ordinance violations must be within
the jurisdiction of the district court. Judgments of courts which cease to exist on the effective
date of the resolution continue in effect and the district court may enforce the judgments.
Fines, forfeitures, and costs due and unpaid on the effective date of the transfer and those
which are subsequently collected on cases pending on the effective date of the transfer must
be collected by the district court and remitted to the city.
5.The authority, duties, powers, jurisdiction, and term of the municipal judge terminates on the
last day of the month in which all municipal cases have been transferred to the district court or
the expiration of the judge's term, whichever occurs first.
40 - 18.1 - 25. Abolition of municipal court in a city with a population of five thousand or more.
1.The governing body of a city with a population of five thousand or more having a municipal
court may by resolution abolish its municipal court if the city has entered an agreement with:
a.The governing body of the county in which the municipal court is located; H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 9
b.The presiding judge of the district in which the municipal court is located; and
c.The state court administrator's office.
2.The agreement must provide for an effective date of the transfer of the municipal court cases
to the district court not fewer than one hundred eighty days after the date of the agreement
unless otherwise agreed upon.
3.At least ten days before the effective date of the transfer, the clerk of the municipal court shall
deliver to the clerk of the district court all cases pending action by the district court after the
effective date of the transfer.
4.On the effective date of the transfer, all proceedings relating to ordinance violations must be
within the jurisdiction of the district court. Judgments of courts which cease to exist on the
effective date of the agreement continue in effect and the district court may enforce the
judgments. Fines, forfeitures, and costs due and unpaid on the effective date of the transfer
and those which are subsequently collected on cases pending on the effective date must be
collected by the district court and remitted to the city.
5.The authority, duties, powers, jurisdiction, and term of the municipal judge terminates on the
last day of the month in which all municipal cases have been transferred to the district court or
the expiration of the judge's term, whichever occurs first.
40 - 18.1 - 26. Compliance with rules adopted by the supreme court.
1.The supreme court shall adopt rules governing:
a.Municipal court procedure;
b.Qualifications, judicial conduct, and education of municipal judges;
c.Qualification and education of municipal clerks;
d.Requirements of municipal court facilities; and
e.Records to be maintained and reports to be filed by the municipal court.
2.Each municipal judge and alternate judge shall comply with the rules established by the
supreme court. The city shall reimburse the judge for necessary travel expenses, meals, and
lodging relating to compliance with the rules regarding qualifications, judicial conduct, and
education in the same manner as other city officials are reimbursed.
3.If a municipal judge or alternate municipal judge fails to fulfill the requirements of the rules
established by the supreme court, the judicial conduct commission may order the municipal
judge not preside over municipal court proceedings.
SECTION 4. REPEAL. Sections 40-11-10, 40-11-11, 40-11-12, and 40-11-13 and chapter 40-18 of
the North Dakota Century Code are repealed. H. B. NO. 1032 - PAGE 10
____________________________ ____________________________
Speaker of the House President of the Senate
____________________________ ____________________________
Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate
This certifies that the within bill originated in the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth Legislative
Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as House Bill No. 1032.
House Vote: Yeas 92 Nays 0 Absent 2
Senate Vote:Yeas 46 Nays 1 Absent 0
____________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Received by the Governor at ________M. on _____________________________________, 2025.
Approved at ________M. on __________________________________________________, 2025.
____________________________
Governor
Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025,
at ________ o’clock ________M.
____________________________
Secretary of State